Wildfires 2017 Update: Stay Out Of The Back Country

People are being asked to refrain from going into BC’s back country while fire conditions are at an extreme level.

Chief information officer Kevin Skrepnek from the BC Wildfire Service says the danger has led to 230 recreation sites and trails in the Cariboo being closed.

“Given the active wildfires across the Interior right now, we are just generally encouraging people to stay out of the back country,” Skrepnek told a news conference.

The latest fire count in BC is at 188, with 16 new fires since Wednesday.

One-hundred and 11-thousand hectares has burned so far this season.

On a positive note, crews now have 40% containment on the Wildwood fire near Williams Lake, 10% on the one near Princeton, and 15% containment on Gustafsen near 100 Mile House.

Skrepnek says progress has been made on some of the major fires, but it’s too early for evacuation orders to be lifted.

“There is a pretty incredible amount of work being doe across the province right now, and I realize people are anxious to return to normal and return home, but the reality is, that’s going to take time, given the situation we’re in right now.”

One-hundred and 88 fires are actively burning in BC today, with 16 new starts since Wednesday.

The Service has 3,100 personnel working, including close to 400 from other provinces.